Preps: The Oakland Press' top 60 softball players

The Oakland Press file photo/DOUG BAUMAN
Jennifer Topor of West Bloomfield should be one of the state's best.The third-year player hit .559, driving in 45 runs, while maintaining a 1.13 ERA in the circle last season.

1. Taylor Hasselbach, Clarkston jr. INF -- Might be the most feared hitter in the state over the next two years. Already committed to Michigan, Hasselbach had a sensational sophomore season, hitting .577 with 13 HR, 51 runs and 59 RBI. She also had a on-base percentage of .717, a slugging percentage of 1.221 and 26 SB.

2. Jordan Wheatley, Troy jr. P -- Hoping a full winter's worth of training will make her even more dominant. Went 23-8 with 287 strikeouts and a 1.30 ERA in 188 IP last season. Also batted .532 at the plate. Committed to Penn State.

3. Jennifer Topor, West Bloomfield jr. P/SS -- An impact player ever since she was a freshman, Topor should be one of the state's best. Hit .559 with 45 RBI and had a 1.13 ERA and 262 K in 180 IP last season.

Advertisement

4. Andie Dawson, Lakeland sr. OF -- Smart, speedy player who does everything for the Eagles. Signed with Adrian, Dawson hit .414 with 24 RBI and 32 SB last season.

5. Taylor Cummings, Farmington sr. INF -- Should be the Falcons' offensive leader and one of the hardest outs in the county. Defensively, Cummings will move from second base to shortstop.

6. Mary Kate DiVirgilio, Birmingham Detroit Country Day sr. C -- Possibly the best catcher in the entire state, both offensively and defensively. Batted .510 with eight HR and 49 RBI and allowed only one runner to steal on her last season.

7. Corinne Luxton, Oxford jr. P -- Coming off a sensational sophomore season and could be even better as a junior. A strikeout pitcher who has gained 10 mph on her fastball and is a premier power hitter.

8. Carlee Meek, Lakeland jr. P -- In her first season as the team's ace, Meek went 30-5 and allowed 12 earned runs last season. Hit .326 as well.

9. Shantel Uballe, Clarkston sr. 1B -- An honorable mention all-state player last season who will be another hard out in Clarkston's lineup.

10. Tessa Tomlin, Lake Orion jr. OF -- Coming off a monster sophomore year that saw her hit .471 for the Dragons.

11. Kristi Hardy, Walled Lake Central sr. P -- A threeyear starter who might be one of the best all-around players in the county. Had a .372 ERA in the circle and a .422 BA in 2008.

12. Carly Hall, Troy senior OF -- Honorable mention allstate player last year after hitting .414 with 22 runs. A good table setter at the top of the lineup, Hall had also had an onbase percentage of .568.

13. Teresa Patterson, Birmingham Seaholm sr. CF

-- The most feared run producer for the Maples, Patterson has signed to play in college at Hillsdale. Hit .450 with 45 RBI and a .570 on-base percentage in 2008.

14. Rachel Jablonski,

Auburn Hills Oakland Christian jr. INF -- Played for the baseball team last year after the Lancers didn't have enough players to field a softball team. With enough softball players to field a team this year, Jablonski should be a force. A Division I college prospect at a small high school.

15. Heather Cuthrell, Waterford Mott jr. SS -- The offensive and defensive leader of the Corsairs. Batted .497 with five HR last season.

16. Jessica Sherman, Ortonville Brandon jr. P -- Established herself as the team's ace last year and should be so again this spring. Also batted over .400 last year.

17. Rachel Hammer, Lakeland sr. SS -- Signed with Northwood, Hammer is one of several important threeyear varsity players for the Eagles.

18. Danielle Dunn, Lake Orion sr. P -- Control pitcher who has been the Dragons' ace ever since she was a freshman. Might also contribute a lot offensively.

19. Katie Dunn, Troy junior C -- Another member of a terrific junior class for the Colts, Dunn hit .486 with 34 RBI last season.

20. Chrissy Albrecht, Farmington jr. P -- Had a secondary role to ace Dana Velzy last year, but should do well as the ace of the Falcons this year.

22. Lauryn Whittler, Southfield Christian sr. C -- Southfield Christian head coach Ken Brown said Whittler is "in a class by herself" and one of the best hitters in school history. First team all-state last year in Division 4.

23. Emily Carlson, Walled Lake Western P/1B -- A fouryear varsity player, Carlson should be one of the best in the KLAA. Hit .371 and struck out 202 batters last season.

24. Krista Hakola, Walled Lake Central jr. SS -- An important part of the Vikings' offensive attack and defense. Batted .368 last season.

25. Natalie Lampman, Madison Heights Bishop Foley jr. SS -- Should be one of the better players in the Catholic League. Hit .422 and was named honorable mention all-state last season in Division 3.

26. Hillary Timm, Holly jr. SS -- Swings a potent bat and has a strong arm on the field. Batted .510 with 42 RBI last season.

27. Alexa Maciejewski, Troy Athens sr. SS -- A threeyear starter who led the Red Hawks in hitting and stolen bases last season.

28. Sara Dykowski, Troy junior 2B -- Can produce runs in a variety of ways for the Colts. Batted .433 with 31 RBI and 29 runs in 2008.

29. Brianna Hicks, Waterford Mott jr. P -- The ace of the Corsairs, Hicks led the team in every major pitching category last year.

30. Stephanie Carrico, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes sr. P/INF -- Has been on the varsity team since she was a freshman and will be a focal point for the Lakers both offensively and on the pitching rubber.